On most cards now the card companies are putting very vague statements about authenticity of "game-used" memorabilia in order to cover their backs. However the generic statements also allow the card companies to get generic material (i.e. stadium benches instead of bats, event used items (that they have a player touch for a second before storing it away as being "used", batting practice baseballs that may not have even been touched by the player shown, etc.). While I still collect some game used cards, I do it more so because I want the card of the player and not because I care that much about the random material glued to the card.